Proper application of the penalty rules is second only to correct analysis of the fencing phrase. Proper handling of penalty situations is a critical test of the referee’s judgment. The referees' responsibilities are as follows:
| Ø | As appropriate, issue YELLOW, RED, and BLACK immediately when faults occur. Do not wait until another occurrence. Delay conditions fencers to improper fencing, favors the offender, places the offender’s opponent at a disadvantage, and may result in accidents or injuries. Hold the single card up toward the offending fencer for a few seconds so that both fencers and the audience know that a card has been issued. |
| Ø | Apply penalties uniformly with both experienced and inexperienced fencers. Resist the tendency to give the experienced fencer more leeway or to overlook faults caused by inexperience. Ignorance of the rules may be widespread, but it is not an excuse for improper fencing or bad behavior. |
| Ø | Learn the rules thoroughly. Penalty rules are complex, and referees often hesitate to apply them when they are unsure. In particular, rules for corps á corps, covering target, the use of the unarmed hand, and violent or disorderly fencing must be mastered. The USFA Penalty Reference Chart will help. It is imperative that you realize that this chart is only a reference chart. It will not replace a thorough knowledge of the penalty rules. |
| Ø | Apply penalties and warnings in a courteous, firm and unemotional manner that precludes emotional response from the fencers. Penalties should not disrupt the match. Be sure to immediately record on the score sheet the type of card issued. |
| Ø | Be philosophic. Understand that a student, upon finding out a grade for a class, will say, "I got an A." Or the student will say, "The teacher gave me an F." Remember that the fencers’ incorrect fencing requires the penalty; you do not penalize the fencer. |
Here are some common situations that require the referee to issue cards:
| Ø | Covering Target: Not applicable for épée; it occasionally occurs in sabre; but it is a frequent occurrence in foil. Covering can be done with the back arm (including the hand), the head, and hair. As to the back arm and hand, it is important to remember that the covering must deny access to the target by the opponent. That means that even though a fencer’s hand and arm are in front of her or his metallic vest during an adjustment of the fencer’s mask when the two fencers are far apart, no card should be issued. Covering with the head in foil is to be called when the fencer places the head down so that the back of the head and the spine are parallel to the strip; it should not be called when a fencer makes a long and low lunge. Any touch scored by the fencer who covered target is annulled. |
| Ø | Corps à Corps - Body Contact: “Halt” must always be called whenever corps à corps takes place. (Yes, even in épée!) In foil and sabre, a card must be issued to the fencer who caused even the slightest contact. And if the contact jostles the opponent or the fencer caused the corps à corps to avoid a touch, a card must be given in all weapons, even épée. If both fencers caused the illegal contact, then both fencers are to be given cards. It is important to realize that in situations with attack and counter-attack, the counter-attacker most often causes contact. If a fencer attacks with a fleche or a fast advance lunge and the opponent causes illegal contact by stepping into the path of the attacker, the opponent must be given a card. If the fencer who caused the illegal contact landed a touch, the touch is annulled. |
| Ø | Turning the Back: In all weapons, it is illegal to turn one’s back toward the opponent. (This is not turning the head. Do not give fencers a card if they turn their heads so that they look behind themselves.) This warning should be given when the fencer turns her or his back toward the opponent; it is not judged by the angle to the strip. The warning is not given when a fencer goes past the opponent, as “Halt” would be called at the passing. Any touch scored with an action with the turning of the back is annulled. |